Zimfo Bytes 10/4

Carrie Muehling

  • The 2020 World Ag Expo® season kicked-off with a beef and pork deep pit dinner on September 21. Jim Parsley was chosen to lead the 1,400 volunteers who have staffed World Ag Expo® since its inception in 1968.
  • World Ag Expo® is taking on the hemp conversation in cooperation with Plant Growth Group, a consultancy in the hemp marketplace. A 9,400 square foot tent will house thirty 10’x10’ exhibitor spaces, and a seminar stage, on the south east side of the grounds at the February show.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Industrial Hemp Council have asked the Environmental Protection Agency to add 10 crop protection products to those applications approved for use on hemp. The groups made the request in rulemaking comments submitted to the agency.
  • Green Point Research finalized its purchase of Sunshine Growers, a 30-acre nursery in Fort Meade, Florida, creating one of the largest hemp-dedicated nurseries in the United States.
  • The American Sugar Alliance launched SugarSustainably.org to highlight the commitments the industry has made over the last several decades to preserve our natural resources, family farms and rural communities for future generations.
  • MGEX, a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization, reports this past month as the best September in history at MGEX with a total exchange volume of 222,077 contracts.
  • MGEX announced the results of its annual Board of Directors election, held on October 3, 2019. Re-elected to the Board were Albert Cyrlin and Murray Stahl. Newly elected to the Board was Thomas P. Gallagher. All were elected to serve two-year terms.
  • The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives joins cooperatives across the nation to recognize October as National Co-op Month and honor the important role farmer-owned cooperatives play in strengthening the economy, providing jobs and improving life in local communities.
  • Swanson Russell recently promoted eight people in its Lincoln and Omaha offices: Bri Koch, Bailey Lisosky, Jeremie Memming, Emily Oatman, Zeth Schlenker, Kaila Shirey, Kaitlyn Stuhr and Kelsey Wheeler.
  • Washington veteran Christy Seyfert will join the American Soybean Association’s senior leadership team Oct. 21 as Executive Director of Government Affairs and will work hand in hand with soybean grower-leaders from across the country and ASA’s chief executive officer to direct and implement policy strategy and manage ASA’s policy staff.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation announced the selection of 18 students for its prestigious George Washington Carver internship program this Fall. Since its inception in 2001, the GWC internship program has impacted over 300 students.
  • Keith Kirkpatrick passed away Sept. 23, 2019. He was a household name across Iowa after a life-long career at WHO Radio in Des Moines. As the last Lifetime Voting National Association of Farm Broadcasting member, Keith was the 1968 NAFB President, 1971 Farm Broadcaster of the Year, 2003 NAFB Hall of Fame inductee, and Oscar in Agriculture recipient, and he also has been recognized for multiple awards throughout his distinguished career.
  • Alejandro Muñoz, President, Corteva Agriscience Latin America, has been named the recipient of the Great Minds in STEM™ Executive Excellence award. Muñoz was honored at the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference on September, 28 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Zimfo Bytes

EPA and USDA Announce Biofuels Agreement

Cindy Zimmerman

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued joint statements on an agreement promoting biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“President Trump’s leadership has led to an agreement that continues to promote domestic ethanol and biodiesel production, supporting our Nation’s farmers and providing greater energy security,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Today’s agreement is the latest in a series of steps we have taken to expand domestic energy production and improve the RFS program that will result in sustained biofuel production to help American farmers.”

“President Trump has once again demonstrated that he is a champion for our nation’s farmers and rural America,” said USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. “The President recognizes that American farmers are the most productive in the world, and he has found a way to pursue policy that promotes economic growth and supports our producers. Building on the success of the year-round E15 rule, this forward-looking agreement makes improvements to the RFS program that will better harness the production of our farmers and ensure America remains energy dominant.”

The announcement today outlines the following actions to be taken by EPA and USDA:

EPA will propose and request public comment on expanding biofuel requirements beginning in 2020.

EPA will seek comment on actions to ensure that more than 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol be blended into the nation’s fuel supply beginning in 2020, and that the volume obligation for biomass-based diesel is met. This will include accounting for relief expected to be provided for small refineries.

EPA intends to take final action on this front later this year.

In addition, EPA will initiate a rulemaking process to streamline labeling and remove other barriers to the sale of E15 and continue to evaluate options for RIN market transparency and reform. USDA will seek opportunities through the budget process to consider infrastructure projects to facilitate higher biofuel blends. And finally, the Administration will continue to work to address ethanol and biodiesel trade issues.

Biofuel and farmer organizations are thanking the administration for this action which they say would put the RFS back on track.

Biodiesel, Biofuels, Corn, EPA, Ethanol, USDA

Sonny and Zippy Debut Podcasts

Cindy Zimmerman

Fellow agricultural leaders from Georgia both introduced new podcasts this week.

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue introduced “The Sonnyside of the Farm,” a monthly podcast with new editions every first Friday of the month.

Born and raised on a family farm in middle Georgia, Secretary Perdue is an agriculturalist through and through – having worked as a veterinarian, owning his own grain business, serving as Governor of Georgia and now serving as a member of President Trump’s cabinet as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He’ll be talking to everyone – from Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duval, Farm Broadcaster Max Armstrong and so many others – about the issues facing America’s farmers, ranchers, producers and foresters today.

Listen to Sonnyside of the Farm on SoundCloud

Meanwhile, American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall kicked off his new podcast “Farmside Chat” earlier this week and the inaugural episode features his friend Secretary Sonny.

Farmside Chat will take a closer look at modern farming in America, explore the latest agricultural innovations and bring listeners right alongside the people who are growing our food, fuel and fiber. On this monthly podcast, AFBF President Duvall will chat with farmers, leaders, and lawmakers around the country about what goes into growing a safe and sustainable food supply.

Listen to Farmside Chat on SoundCloud

We are happy to welcome Sonny and Zippy to the world of farmpodcasting, something we have been doing since 2005!

AFBF, Podcasts, USDA

Farmers and Ethanol Producers Need Relief Now

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol producers and corn farmers held a telephone press conference Wednesday to spotlight recent research on the impacts of ethanol plant closings, a new survey on voter attitudes about ethanol, and a potential White House agreement to promote further renewable fuels use.

The main message from Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, new National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Ross, and others on the call, is that they need to see the EPA do something to account for gallons lost to small refinery exemptions, as required under the law.

Commenting on news reports this week that the administration is close to making an announcement on a package to help, Cooper said it can’t come soon enough. “Each day that passes without a resolution is one step closer to the abyss” for farmers and ethanol plants. He talked about 18 plants that have closed permanently or temporarily recently and how that impacts the community.

RFA Chairman Neil Koehler with Pacific Ethanol, which has shut down one of its plants, says he has been in the ethanol business for 35 years. “This is the worst year we have ever experienced,” and it is the direct result of EPA granting the small refinery exemptions without redistributing those gallons.

“We are not asking for anything other than for EPA to uphold the RFS,” said Ross. “This issue has certainly hurt a lot of markets for farmers and created more of an issue going into a fall where we need markets opened up and we need crops to move.”

Also on the call were farmer Brian Thalmann, immediate past president of Minnesota Corn Growers, and Al-Corn Clean Fuel CEO Randy Doyal.

Listen to opening remarks:
RFA call on ethanol industry issues

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA, RFA

Bayer Maintains Strong R&D Commitment to Agriculture

Cindy Zimmerman

A year after its acquisition of Monsanto, Bayer remains more committed than ever before to investments in new data science and technologies for food production.

“We are very proud of our leading R&D pipeline with 75 projects in seed & traits, crop protection and Digital Ag pipelines,” said Bob Reiter, Head of Research and Development for the Crop Science Division. “With hundreds of new hybrids and varieties commercialized annually, we are best-positioned to discover, combine and tailor solutions for growers around the world.”

In 2018, Bayer invested about $2.5 billion in Crop Science R&D on a pro forma basis – more than any other competitor in the industry. Some 7,300 scientists are working in over 35 R&D sites and more than 175 breeding stations to deliver innovation. Most recently, the company finalized an agreement with biopharmaceutical research company Arvinas to create a joint venture – newly named Oerth Bio (pronounced “Earth”) – and explore how molecular-degrading proteins found in plants and animals can protect crops against threatening pests and diseases.

Listen to Reiter’s remarks during the Bayer Future of Farming Dialogue held this week in Germany.
Bob Reiter, Head of Research & Development, Bayer

2019 Bayer Future of Farming Dialogue Photos

AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer

New Pig Farmer of the Year is From Pennsylvania

Cindy Zimmerman

America’s Pig Farmer of the Year for 2019-2020 is Chris Hoffman from McAlisterville, Pennsylvania. The award recognizes the pig farmers who exemplify industry leadership, a demonstrated focus in raising pigs following the We Care ethical principles and a commitment to connecting consumers with the farmers who raise the pork they consume.

Hoffman was named America’s Pig Farmer of the Year after an on-farm audit of animal health, safety and management practices, a series of personal interviews and an online vote. Since being named to the position, Hoffman said he’s excited to lead discussions with consumers and food retailers in order to help promote pig farming and demonstrate farmers’ commitment to always doing the right thing for their animals, the environment and the families who consume their product.

Though he originally aspired to work in law enforcement, Hoffman found himself in the business of raising pigs and discovered it to be his ideal career. He’s faced challenges unique to being a first-generation pig farmer, but with a progressive yet realistic philosophy, he’s been able to gradually grow and evolve his Lazy Hog Farm to integrate the next generation and secure a bright future.

Learn more about Hoffman and the America’s Pig Farmer of the Year Award at americaspigfarmer.com.

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, NPPC, Pork

Precision Ag Bytes 10/2

Carrie Muehling

  • New DEKALB® corn and Asgrow® soybean products for 2020 feature exclusive genetics, industry-leading trait technologies and strong agronomic packages for consistent performance and high-yield potential. DEKALB is introducing a total of 28 new products next season. Twenty-six new Asgrow® Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybean products are being offered for planting next season. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.
  • South Dakota State University is the first land-grant university to offer a precision agriculture major, a precision agriculture minor and an engineering for precision agriculture minor, as part of their curriculum. Corteva Agriscience is donating $600,000 to help expand facilities for student learning and engagement with precision ag tools.
  • The American Sugar Alliance has launched SugarSustainably.org to highlight the commitments that the industry has made over the last several decades to preserve natural resources, family farms and rural communities for future generations.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

USDA Urged to Establish Foot and Mouth Vaccine Bank

Cindy Zimmerman

Representatives of the National Pork Producers Council, the National Milk Producers Federation, the National Corn Growers Association and Iowa State University are urging U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to move quickly to establish a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine bank.

At a press conference Tuesday, the groups recognized steps USDA has already taken to establish the bank, but called for “expedient use of mandatory funding included in the 2018 Farm Bill to purchase the volume of vaccines required to effectively contain and eradicate an FMD outbreak.” Currently, the USDA, which has prescribed vaccination for dealing with an FMD outbreak, does not have access to enough vaccine to avoid devastating economic consequences to the U.S. economy, should an outbreak occur.

FMD is an infectious viral disease that affects cloven-hooved animals, including cattle, pigs and sheep; it is not a food safety or human health threat. The disease is endemic in many parts of the world and would have widespread, long-term fallout for livestock and crop agriculture, including the immediate loss of export markets. According to Iowa State University research, an outbreak would result in $128 billion in losses for the beef and pork sectors, $44 billion and $25 billion, respectively, to the corn and soybean farmers, and job losses of more than 1.5 million across U.S. agriculture over 10 years.

Taking part in the press conference were:
NPPC Chief Veterinarian Liz Wagstrom
Dr. James Roth, ISU College of Veterinary Medicine
Sarah McKay, director of Market Development at the National Corn Growers Association
Jamie Jonker, Ph.D., vice president for Sustainability & Scientific Affairs at the National Milk Producers Federation

Audio file:
Ag groups call for Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank

Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Audio, NCGA, NPPC

Bayer Committed to More Sustainable Food System

Cindy Zimmerman

Farmers, industry experts, journalists and other stakeholders are in Monheim, Germany this week for the Bayer 2019 Future of Farming Dialogue to engage in a collaborative discussion on the future of agriculture.

“Agriculture needs to feed a growing world without starving the planet”, said Liam Condon, member of the Bayer Board of Management and president of the Crop Science Division. “Breakthrough innovations are needed so that farmers can grow enough food for a growing world population while preserving natural resources.”

Under the theme “Tomorrow belongs to all of us” the event gathers speakers and participants from around 40 countries for two days of robust panel discussions, talks and interviews on issues and opportunities facing the industry. Topics discussed include the need to find a balance between production of food and preservation of our planet; consumer demands to have a healthy diet with no negative impact on the environment; and the importance of crop protection tools for sustainable agriculture.

Condon shared that Bayer is introducing three ambitious commitments to address some of the most pressing challenges our world is currently facing by 2030:

1. Reduce the environmental impact of crop protection by 30 percent by developing new technologies that help farmers to scale down crop protection product volumes and enable a more precise application.
2. Reduce field greenhouse gases emissions from the most emitting crops systems in the regions Bayer serves by 30 percent.
3. Empower 100 million smallholder farmers in developing countries around the world by providing more access to sustainable agricultural solutions.

Listen to Condon’s comments here: Liam Condon, President, Bayer Crop Science Division

2019 Bayer Future of Farming Dialogue Photos

AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer, Sustainability

BASF a New Market Leader in Canada

Carrie Muehling

The past year has brought a number of changes for BASF in Canada as the company is now the market leader in that country. That includes a new headquarters location in Calgary and a new distribution model, as well as the opportunity to rename themselves as an agricultural solutions company instead of an agricultural products company.

“That really drives us toward the 2030 strategy that we’ve been here discussing today which is how we fuse digital, seed and chemistry together, bringing superior solutions to growers and thinking more from a cropping system standpoint versus just a product to product standpoint,” said Jon Sweat, Vice President of Business Management, BASF Canada Agriculture Products.

Sweat said BASF is now developing hybrid wheat and also innovating new hybrids and traits in canola, which are both important crops for the Canadian market. The company is also focusing research on how climate affects the cropping system, which is important for Canada as the climate there is more dynamic than it is even in the United States.

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Jon here: Interview with Jon Sweat, BASF Canada VP of Business Management

2019 BASF Global Media Event Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, BASF